Gruden is not replacing Reid

POSTED: Monday, February 7, 2011, 10:42 AM

There are only about a million reasons, starting with the Rooney Rule, why this is not true.

We can't even stomach calling this a report.

If you haven't heard, former Eagles fullback Kyle Eckel passed along what he termed a "rumor" on his Facebook page that Andy Reid was stepping down as the Eagles coach for personal reasons. Former Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden would replace him as coach with the announcement coming Tuesday.

Then, a TV reporter in Missouri picked up the story, and then a blog post said Gruden was in town last night.

And the blogosphere went crazy overnight and through the morning.

Reid is under contract through 2013, and the hiring of Juan Castillo certainly dispels any notion that Reid is not still solidly in charge.

Here is a statement from the Eagles: “Early this morning we have received several inquiries regarding the rumors regarding Andy Reid and Jon Gruden. This was simply a rumor and there is no basis to it at all. It is simply not true.”

A team source called the whole thing "ridiculous" and said this was an example of "social media gone awry."

As for Gruden, an ESPN spokesman said, he worked the 9 a.m. SportsCenter from Dallas, appeared on the pregame show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then was scheduled to fly home to Florida. Asked if Gruden could have been in Philly, the spokesman said, "I would be surprised if that were the case."

Having been pinpointed as the original "source," Eckel went back to his Facebook page to try to clarify, "Growing up in Philly I get to hear the gossip around town. And that's just what this Andy Reid stuff is all about. Gossip. Hence my original comment stating "Rumor". I'm surprised I was one of the first to mention the new gossip! In any way, shape, or form sports are fun and a great way to link a community."

Then this, "Lets find out soon of the validity to this Gruden rumor. I hope none of you got the wrong impression with my previous status. Bottom line, my family and I are forever indebted to Andy Reid for giving me the opportunity Ive always dreamed of. Playing for my hometown Eagles ... If Reids problems are personal lets hope they can be resolved safely and with peace."

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Daily News staff @ 10:42 AM Permalink | 49 comments

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Comments (49)

Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:58 AM, 02/07/2011

Thanks for getting our hopes up, the Eagles will never win a super bowl with hungry hungry hippo.

— beans367

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:58 AM, 02/07/2011

Yet another story about a total non-story. Kudos to Kyle Eckel though, for getting himself another minute of relevance. Or at least trying to.

— Hiding Behind My Keyboard

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:27 PM, 02/07/2011

Another minute? When was his first?

— Reasonableone

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:06 AM, 02/07/2011

This according to Websters: back-ped·al [bak-ped-l] – verb (used without object), to retreat from or reverse one's previous stand on any matter; shift ground. Usage: Wow...look how fast Kyle Eckel can back-pedal.

— geeknphillly

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:54 PM, 02/07/2011

With a backpedal like that, can he play corner?

— johnnydomino

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:11 AM, 02/07/2011

I'm starting another rumor that Andy Reid will step down and be replaced by Howie Roseman because Lurie and Banner love Howie so much.

— HAROLD Eskin

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:11 AM, 02/07/2011

watch, and you will see in 3 days.. Andy would suddenly retires and Marty would become the head coach and Gruden will be the offensive coordinator/ asst head coach...lol.

— docboy

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:12 AM, 02/07/2011

No offense, but between this nonsense and the continuing saga of The Firing of Sean McDermott (which happened more than 3 weeks ago), I have to ask: Is there anything, anything at all, that you guys won't print to keep the Eagles on the sports page? I don't know for sure, but something tells me that if there was even a tiny little smidge of validity to a rumor about an NFL coaching change, we wouldn't be hearing it first (and secondhand, at that)from Kyle Eckel. Especially considering that one of the key figures spent the entire day on television!!!

— 1980